Tuesday, February 05, 2013

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When Borders closed down their stores, laid off thousands of employees, and sold their inventories for half their retail prices a few years ago, I was heart broken. I love bookstores. Nothing brings me more joy then entering a neighborhood, or even mega-chain business filled with nothing but books..

To me, books represent an opportunity to learn, to laugh, to cry, to fantasize.... To hold the pages of a great author (such as J.R.R Tolkien, who's The Hobbit, I am currently reading) in your hands for a long night of adventure as you curl up under blankets is one of those special moments in life, where you can be a little kid and go back to those years of imagination.

But now my heart is once again straining for the fate of bookstores, as Barnes & Noble is closing down hundreds of stores, laying off workers and reducing their brick, and mortar presence, while focusing more on their digital holdings. They are the last nationwide bookstore, and if they close.. The market will be wholly owned by Amazon and e-book devices such as Nook or Kindle.

The thought of losing Barnes & Noble, so closely after the death of poor Borders, is troubling to me, as the horrific little idea of Wal-Mart being the last nationwide provider of books in-store is scary as hell to me. As the superstore just has a way of cheapening their products, and books are unlikely to be spared the same fate.

With this weighing so heavily on my heart, I call on all book lovers to start dropping in at your neighborhood bookstore, start visiting your Barnes & Noble... Attend author readings, join, or create your own book club and devote some of your hard earned money to one book per week.

These businesses, which employ thousands of workers and represent who knows how many small business owners, depend on our loyalty... and if we're putting Amazon, or even worse, digital "books" over the survival and greatness of bookstores, don't be surprised when their gone forever.

And that would be a travesty.

What say you?

P.S. - A good place to start on bookclubs, would be with great series such as J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels, and Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy.

It commands your attention like... well, a swiftly-directed boot to the rear.

There are those who might consider the phrase obscene. But in the United States, the verb to "kick ass" - like the adjective, "kick-ass" - is widely considered appropriate for general conversation.

Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in Kentucky, where a high-profile campaign has been launched to change the state's official slogan from "Unbridled Spirit" to "Kentucky Kicks Ass."

And why not, when both the current American president and his predecessor have happily gone on the record deploying the term?

The respectability of the phrase was surely confirmed by the 2010 superhero comedy Kick-Ass, set in New York, which was a hit in the US and beyond. A much-anticipated sequel is due for release later this year.

President Obama's health care law will push 7 million people out of their job-based insurance coverage — nearly twice the previous estimate, according to the latest estimates from the Congressional Budget Office released Tuesday.

CBO said that this year's tax cuts have changed the incentives for businesses and made it less attractive to pay for insurance, meaning fewer will decide to do so. Instead, they'll choose to pay a penalty to the government, totaling $13 billion in higher fees over the next decade.

But the non-partisan agency also expects fewer people to have to pay individual penalties to the IRS than it earlier projects, because of a better method for calculating incomes that found more people will be exempt.

Overall, the new health provisions are expected to cost the government $1.165 trillion over the next decade — the same as last year's projection.

The tragic death of Chris Kyle is one of the saddest murder cases I have come across in a long time, as the more information that comes out just makes the story worse and worse.

Here we have Chris Kyle, a legendary Navy SEAL sniper with a confirmed 160 kills during his special forces service, driving out to meet a former U.S. Marine who served his country in Iraq, and who was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and was having difficulty readjusting.

The troubled Marine, Eddie Ray Routh, had been arrested the year before for drunken-driving, even jailed for fifteen days, and who local authorities suspected of mental illness. His mother reached out to Kyle, known for assisting veterans struggling to readjust, to help her sinking son.

Few specifics are known about what occurred Saturday, but what we do know is that Kyle, his buddy and Routh went to a local gun range, which Kyle used to help readjust veterans to home, when at some point Routh turned his weapon on Kyle and his friend for no apparent reason and fled in the SEAL's pickup truck.

And now we have the State of Texas charging Eddie Ray Routh, a Marine Veteran suffering from PTSD, for capitol murder in the deaths of legendary Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and his friend, also a veteran, who were both just trying to help this troubled young man...

This story is like a cancer, the more that we learn about it, the worse it gets... All I know is that a former Marine is all but dead for his horrific actions and two other veterans are dead because they wanted to help their comrades struggling to leave the battlefield behind.

This may very well be the dumbest thing I have heard of in my life. 7-year-old Alex Evans was suspended from Loveland, Colorado's Mary Blair Elementary School. His crime? Playing an imaginary game during recess.

Ever play cops and robbers? Cowboys and Indians? Young Evans was doing something quite similar with his boyish imagination: pretending that he was a super hero and playing a game he called "saving the world."

According to the boy, he was pretending to help the earth from "evil forces" that only he could see. He pretended to throw an imaginary grenade (which in reality, was nothing but air and imagination) into a box to vanquish his foes.

In other words, seven-year-old Evans was suspended for pretending to save the world. His imagination, his thoughts, are, according to Mary Blair Elementary School, as bad as drinking, taking drugs, or screaming racial slurs.

“I was trying to save people and I just can’t believe I got dispended,” Evans said sorrowfully about being "suspended."

Monday, February 04, 2013

A confidential Justice Department memo concludes that the U.S. government can order the killing of American citizens if they are believed to be “senior operational leaders” of al-Qaida or “an associated force” -- even if there is no intelligence indicating they are engaged in an active plot to attack the U.S.

The 16-page memo, a copy of which was obtained by NBC News, provides new details about the legal reasoning behind one of the Obama administration’s most secretive and controversial polices: its dramatically increased use of drone strikes against al-Qaida suspects, including those aimed at American citizens, such as the September 2011 strike in Yemen that killed alleged al-Qaida operatives Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan. Both were U.S. citizens who had never been indicted by the U.S. government nor charged with any crimes.

The secrecy surrounding such strikes is fast emerging as a central issue in this week’s hearing of White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan, a key architect of the drone campaign, to be CIA director. Brennan was the first administration official to publicly acknowledge drone strikes in a speech last year, calling them “consistent with the inherent right of self-defense.” In a separate talk at the Northwestern University Law School in March, Attorney General Eric Holder specifically endorsed the constitutionality of targeted killings of Americans, saying they could be justified if government officials determine the target poses “an imminent threat of violent attack.”

But the confidential Justice Department “white paper” introduces a more expansive definition of self-defense or imminent attack than described by Brennan or Holder in their public speeches. It refers, for example, to what it calls a “broader concept of imminence” than actual intelligence about any ongoing plot against the U.S. homeland.

When President Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced Jan. 11 that a negotiating office for the Taliban was about to open in the Persian Gulf emirate of Qatar, optimism soared within the administration that peace talks would soon be back on track.

But January’s optimism has become February’s reality check: There is still no agreement to open the office, and Karzai, back in Kabul after his Washington visit, says there will be no deal until Qatar meets his conditions in writing.

As the Obama administration nears a decision on the pace of U.S. combat troop withdrawals from Afghanistan between now and the end of 2014, jump-starting reconciliation has become a key element of its exit strategy.

Without some kind of political initiative underway as its forces leave, the administration fears that the United States will again be accused of abandoning the region, just as it was at the end of the Soviet Union’s Afghan occupation in the early 1990s. If another civil war breaks out, as many fear, Afghanistan’s neighbors will again feel the need to choose sides.

DNA tests have confirmed that human remains found buried beneath an English car park are those of the country's King Richard III.

British scientists announced Monday they are convinced "beyond reasonable doubt" that a skeleton found during an archaeological dig in Leicester, central England, last August is that of the former king, who was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

Mitochondrial DNA extracted from the bones was matched to Michael Ibsen, a Canadian cabinetmaker and direct descendant of Richard III's sister, Anne of York.

Experts say other evidence -- including battle wounds and signs of scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, found during the search and the more than four months of tests since support the DNA findings.

The skeleton was discovered buried among the remains of what was once the city's Greyfriars friary, but is now a council car park.

A tour bus collided with a car and pickup truck, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens of others Sunday night on a Southern California mountain highway, authorities said.

California Highway Patrol spokesman Mario Lopez confirmed the deaths and said 38 people were taken to hospitals with injuries. He also said the bus driver reported having brake problems as it headed down the mountain on two-lane State Route 38, rear-ending a sedan then flipping over and hitting a pickup truck that was pulling a trailer.

The bus was carrying a tour group from Tijuana, Mexico, and a representative from the Mexican consulate was at the grim crash scene, California Department of Transportation spokeswoman Michelle Profant said.

Super Bowl XLVII will go down as one of the wildest, weirdest, and in the end, most disappointing Super Bowls of all time.

The 49ers went down big early. At one point they trailed 28-6. Then a power outage knocked the lights out of the Superdome and the Ravens. San Francisco proceeded to go on a rampage, getting as close as 31-29. Then the replacement refs either came back on the field without telling anyone, or the normal refs instantly went blind.

With the score 31-29, the 49ers went for a two point conversion after scoring a touchdown. Though the Ravens were clearly offsides, no flags were thrown and QB Colin Kaepernick threw an incomplete pass.

Wow. What a game! How big is that missed two-point conversion and non-call for offside going to loom?

Later, with less than two minutes left, on 4th and goal, the 49ers went for it, down 34-29. TE Vernon Wells was tackled in the end zone before the ball was even thrown, and fell as the ball went just over his fingers. The penalty was blatant, but the yellow stayed in the refs' pockets.

There should have been a penalty on that play, the refs just cost San Fran a great chance at a spectacular comeback.

Even when the Ravens took an intentional safety with less than 10 seconds left, there was clear holding in the end zone against the 49ers, which allowed another 5 seconds to run off the clock. No flag again.

Look, what's that Raven doing to that 49er? Why, he's HOLDING him! So why didn't the refs give them a HOLDING PENALTY?! twitter.com/JacobSyndeo/st…

Quite frankly, it was a great game that turned absolutely awful in the last few minutes. I am extremely disappointed with how terrible the refs called the game in the final quarter, particularly after calling it so well in the three before.

Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

The New Orleans fire department has been called to investigate a smell of gas near the Superdome's elevator No. 8, New Orleans police Sgt. T.J. St. Pierre said.

The elevator has stalled on the seventh floor, according to police radio.

The majority of lights failed shortly after Jacoby Jones returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown. There was 13:22 left in the quarter.

CBS reported it could take until 9:05 to 9:10 ET to return power to all the lights.

The teams remained on the field, with players stretching and trying to stay warmed up, including the Ravens' Joe Flacco and Ed Reed. Cheerleaders kept going through their routines
There was a public address announcement for fans to stay in their seats.

Officials gathered on the field and appeared to be talking to stadium personnel.

We apparently have a power outage at the Super Dome during the Super Bowl tonight. The announcers went out, as did half the lights. CBS went right to commercial. Moving back to a live broadcast now at 8:40 Central.

Half of the power is out. Scoreboard is out. No injuries have been reported and are returning to commercial. No announcers yet.

Update 8:44: They are still half without power. They are still trying to figure out what's going on.

Update 8:47: CBS is saying that it will be at least fifteen minutes until power comes back on.

Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

We apparently have a power outage at the Super Dome during the Super Bowl tonight. The announcers went out, as did half the lights. CBS went right to commercial. Moving back to a live broadcast now at 8:40 Central.

Half of the power is out. Scoreboard is out. No injuries have been reported and are returning to commercial. No announcers yet.

Update 8:44: They are still half without power. They are still trying to figure out what's going on.

Update 8:47: CBS is saying that it will be at least fifteen minutes until power comes back on.

Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

Update: CBS reports the game should go back on in about 15 minutes.
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Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III won the Associated Press offensive rookie of the year award on Saturday night, tying a bow on a memorable season while also casting some optimism on the next one.

Speaking for the first time since undergoing extensive knee surgery nearly four weeks ago, Griffin said his rehabilitation is already ahead of schedule and he has “no doubt” he’ll be ready to play next season.

“My goal is Week 1,” he said. “That’s all I’m really worried about.”

Griffin, who underwent surgery on his right knee on Jan. 9, said he’s been off crutches for nearly two weeks and was walking Saturday with only the slightest hint of a limp. Sporting a striped burgundy and gold neck tie, Griffin had no problem taking the stage at Mahalia Jackson Theater and accepting his award from New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees.

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Right when Phil Simms was speaking, the entire Super Dome lost power. Half the lights went out, no announces spoke, and CBS went straight to commercial. The score board is out as well. No injuries have been reported.

The play before was a hand-off up the middle by the 49ers for a three-yard gain.

French President Francois Hollande visited the fabled City of Timbuktu yesterday after a joint coalition of French and Malian soldiers liberated the ancient city from Islamist terrorists earlier in the week.

Local residents, thrilled at their liberation and France's decision to intervene, danced in the streets with jubilation and even offered Mr. Hollande a camel as thanks for his leadership on this conflict, which has gone on in Mali for almost nine months, with western involvement starting just 3 weeks ago.

Although the French led counter-assault against the Islamist aligned Tuareg rebels has successfully pushed back the brutal sharia compliant oppressors, liberating several ancient and important cities, there is still much to do as the Islamists simply ran into the Sahara rather then oppose the French.

But Mr. Hollande is definitely well within his right to celebrate in Timbuktu - his decision freed the good people of that city from a living hell on earth - and it likely prevented the collapse of Mali into complete oblivion and absolute islamist control where terror camps would rule with free reign and a former bulwark against Al-Qaeda would be transformed into our greatest foe in the War on Terror.

Chris Kyle, the former U.S. Navy SEAL sniper who was responsible for 160 kills during his career as U.S. Navy SEAL sniper, was shot and killed with another man at a gun range on Saturday, the co-author of Kyle's book said.

A suspect, identified as Eddie Ray Routh, was arrested, according to reports.

Kyle, who wrote "American Sniper" about his military service from 1999 to 2009, and another man were found dead at the Rough Creek Lodge's shooting range Saturday, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, quoting Erath County Sheriff Tommy Bryant. The second victim was not identified.

"It just comes as a shock and it's staggering to think that after all Chris has been through, that this is how he meets his end, because there are so many ways he could have been killed" in Iraq, said Scott McEwen, who wrote the book with Kyle.

Apparently, we still have to be on the lookout for radical Marxists hellbent on preventing American imperialism:

Tension is high in Turkey after a suicide bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara as officials identified the attacker as a member of a radical leftist group.The blast killed a Turkish security guard, authorities say. The bomber died.Istanbul police identified the bomber as Ecevit Shanli, a member of DHKP-C, a Marxist Leninist terror group.

The Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, is a well funded, well trained radical Marxist terror organization in Turkey that has successfully targeted and killed Americans and Westerners for two decades now, including soldiers and personnel.

They have been quieter in recent years, as security operations within Turkey have stymied many planned attacks, but today's strike is most likely in reaction to the four hundred American soldiers that are currently deployed in Turkey right now with the Patriot missiles (you know, the ones, we sent to Turkey to protect them from Assad...)

This being the second attack on an American Embassy in just five months, we should remember the world is full of terrorists and cowards determined to strike the United States, and with that in mind - incoming Secretary of State Kerry should make reviewing and revamping our embassies security a top priority.

Ed Koch, former three-term Mayor of New York City, passed away early this morning from congestive heart disease, he was eighty-eight years old.

Koch, a giant within the City Democrat Party, will find well wishes and condolences by members belonging to both parties, as his fellow Democrats loved his outspoken liberalism and Republicans respected his principled nature, especially in his later years when he would often place his political allegiance on the side for what he thought was best.

From being drafted as a young Jewish man into the Army, where he served as an Infantryman in the European theatre in World War 2, to fighting the corrupt system in Tammany Hall to serving his City in the House of Representatives to eventually reaching the apex as Mayor, his life was a constant testimony to public service and patriotism.

The world lost not only an outspoken man, who would confront anyone, any party and basically any issue on his principles and stubborn City attitude, but a man we could count on clarity in this confusing world of ours - as he liked to refer to himself, a liberal with sanity.

A suspected suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the entrance of the U.S. Embassy in the Turkish capital on Friday and at least two people are dead, a police official said.

An Associated Press journalist saw a body in the street in front of an embassy side entrance. The bomb appeared to have exploded inside the security checkpoint at the entrance of the visa section of the embassy.

Several ambulances were dispatched to the area. An AP journalist saw at least one woman who appeared to be seriously injured being carried into an ambulance.

Private NTV television said two security guards at the entrance were killed.

Former Mayor Ed Koch, the combative, acid-tongued politician who rescued the city from near-financial ruin during a three-term City Hall run in which he embodied New York chutzpah for the rest of the world, died Friday. He was 88.

Koch died at 2 a.m., spokesman George Arzt said. The funeral will be Monday at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan.

After leaving City Hall in January 1990, Koch battled assorted health problems and heart disease.

The larger-than-life Koch, who breezed through the streets of New York flashing his signature thumbs-up sign, won a national reputation with his feisty style. "How'm I doing?" was his trademark question to constituents, although the answer mattered little to Koch. The mayor always thought he was doing wonderfully.

President Obama's nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel as Defense Secretary is now in serious trouble, as if Hagel's previous comments and votes weren't trouble enough with a very strong following within the Republican caucus - his disastrous confirmation hearing before the Armed Services Committee yesterday only further imperils his hopes.

Strong Republican questioning on the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, ongoing nuclear issues with Iran, his thoughts on Iran and his previous comments that we are the "world's bully," resulted in Hagel remaining on the defensive most of the hearing, non-committal on many questions and he committed a major blunder by deeming Iran a legitimately elected government.

All of this in just the past day has turned even more Republicans against his nomination, meaning he has to somehow convince five (which may prove impossible) of his former colleagues to back his Defense Secretary vote, and if the current trend is prophetic - he'll have to settle for just one.

While the actual nature of the confirmation vote is unknown, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell might require a 60 vote threshold to clear it, or a simple up or down vote, one thing remains certain: Chuck Hagel will not receive much, if any GOP support in the U.S. Senate.

We can only hope Hagel's nomination is blocked by the Republican Senators and the White House is forced to pick a common sense, defense oriented individual who doesn't occupy nonsensical nor extremist worldviews on international affairs, but I digress... We must win this fight before we look into the future.

Television pictures showed debris from the blast spread out on to the street in front of the building, and Red Cross ambulances on the scene attending to the injured.The 54-floor Pemex building is 214m (702 ft) tallHundreds of rescuers helped by dogs are searching the building for around 30 people thought to be trapped inside.Police have cordoned off the streets around the building, which is located in a busy commercial area of Mexico City.

Yes, you read that correctly. There is no 'fe' at the beginning of that gender designation.

Added to the already salacious "underage hooker" side of the story, this Menendez scandal promises to even eclipse Weiner-gate.

Another development from last night. It was revealed on Fox News that the resort where Menendez stayed at in the Dominican Republic where the sex-capades took place, was owned by "Sugar Barons." Of course, he cast numerous votes on sugar subsidies.

A number of political blogs are already speculating on a Menendez replacement. Republican Governor Chris Christie gets to appoint. Will it be Menendez's 2012 Republican opponent Joe Kyrillos, some sweet revenge for the GOP. Or, more likely a safer choice like State Senator Tom Kean, Jr. or former Republican Governor Christie Todd-Whitman?

News of President Obama's apparently long-secret fondness for skeet shooting came as a surprise to those who say they have witnessed the president's "awkward" attempts at pinging the (clay) pigeons.

This has only happened with the president at Camp David, at most, a couple of times, according to a source who says he has been to the retreat on a half-dozen visits with Obama.

"The only time he shot skeet was for President's Cup," said the source, referring to a shooting competition tradition involving the presidential Marine guards. "I was there. He stayed for about five minutes, and couldn't leave fast enough."

Skeet shooting "is very hard," said the source. "Especially for someone not used to guns ... He couldn't have been more uncomfortable."

Since when is ignorance of the law a viable defense when it comes to crimes? Apparently in the United Kingdom it is.

Adil Rashid, an 18-year-old Muslim man, met a thirteen-year-old girl on Facebook last year. After texting her for two months, they met in Nottingham. Rashid proceeded to rape the girl and was subsequently arrested.

In his defense, Rashid claimed that he simply "did not know" it was illegal to rape minors. Rashid stated that "he went to an Islamic faith school where he was taught that women are worthless," and thus consent was not necessary.

He further argued that the thirteen-year-old had "tempted" and "seduced" him in person, leading to his rape of her.

Rashid

Shockingly, the defense worked. Judge Michael Stokes handed down a suspended sentence on January 25th. Stokes reasoned that "because Rashid was ‘passive’ and ‘lacking assertiveness,' sending him to jail might cause him ‘more damage than good.'"

He added, "Although chronologically 18, it is quite clear from the reports that you are very naive and immature when it comes to sexual matters."

Judge Stokes

The judge concluded, however, that Rashid "knew what he was doing was wrong." He explained, in part, "I accept this was a case where the girl was quite willing to have sexual activity with you. But the law is there to protect young girls, even though they are perfectly happy to engage in sexual activity."

Why he would say this and get rid of jail time is anyone's guess.

Update: It is not immediately apparent if the rape was statutory or forced.

Police, SWAT teams and FBI negotiators kept vigil Wednesday near an underground bunker in rural Alabama where a gunman was holding hostage a 5-year-old boy he had snatched from a school bus Tuesday after killing the driver, authorities and neighbors said.

A law enforcement official who is not authorized to speak to the media identified the man as 65-year-old Jimmy Lee Dykes, a retired truck driver and Navy veteran. Neighbors said he was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to face charges for pointing a gun at residents last month in a dispute over a speed bump.

Dale County Sheriff's Office reports Dykes is connected to the anti-government survivalist movement.

Patricia Smith, who lives across the street from Dykes in the rural community in far southeastern Alabama, said her children had been on the bus about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday when the shooting occurred. They told her that two other children had just been dropped off when Dykes stepped onto the bus and grabbed the door so that the driver couldn't close it.

Lobbyist and Republican strategist
Brian Ballard points out that, in the weeks and months leading up to
the 2012 election, both the Romney and Obama Presidential campaigns
spent more than a little time campaigning in the Sunshine State—and
that is no accident. Florida is one of the nation’s most
significant swing states, its impact perhaps unparalleled outside of
Ohio. What is more, the state is large, rich, and diverse—with 10
major media markets and a melting pot of cultures and demographics,
the state’s political inclinations can prove difficult to pin down.

All of this is
very important as the Republican Party casts its gaze toward the 2016
race for the White House. Obviously, many factors of the 2016
political landscape are still unknown. With that said, one thing is
hard to deny: Winning Florida is crucially important, and, if the GOP
wishes to stage a comeback in the next presidential race, winning
Florida would be a huge step in the right direction.

Not Just Senior Citizens

There is a cliché about Florida, held
by many non-residents of the State, that Florida is—to be totally
blunt—one big retirement community. Indeed, a lot of the
discussions about Florida’s significance in the 2012 election
hinged on the notion that the state’s voters are mostly senior
citizens, concerned only with issues like Medicare and Social
Security. This represents a misguided view of what Florida’s
electoral makeup is really like, however—and in fact, the largest
age group of Florida voters is the 30-49 group. Succeeding in Florida
starts by accepting the fact that the Sunshine State’s voters are
not all retirees.

The I-4 Corridor is Critical

The I-4 corridor represents a couple of
the state’s big media markets, and, more to the point, it
represents a huge swathe of the Florida electorate—44 percent of
all registered voters, in fact. Obviously, then, this area is
important for any political campaign seeking to succeed in Florida,
and it tends to be a promising area for Republicans, with about a
quarter of the state’s GOP voters located in the area. The corridor
has many young voters, and it is predominantly white, but with
significant Hispanic populations—all pertinent demographic facts
for political strategists to consider.

Hispanic Voters are Independent

Much is made about winning over the
many Hispanic voters in Florida—and this is not without reason.
There is a large Hispanic population in Florida, and, politically
speaking, it is a fairly even split, with Hispanics making up 13
percent of Florida’s Democrats, 11 percent of its Republicans. What
is critical is that Hispanics make up the largest population of
independent voters in the Sunshine State—so the idea of winning
over Hispanics is hardly a pipe dream, for either political
party.

Ultimately, Brian Ballard says that
Florida is next to impossible to summarize or to fully understand,
but there are certainly important demographic and political trends to
consider. Understanding Florida is the first step toward winning
Florida. According to Brian Ballard, that is a lesson that the
Republican Party will do well to remember in 2016.

Veteran lobbyist Brian Ballard knows
Florida politics inside and out. For more information on the expert
check out this site.

The U.S. economy posted a stunning drop of 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter, defying expectations for slow growth and possibly providing incentive for more Federal Reserve stimulus.

The economy shrank from October through December for the first time since the recession ended, hurt by the biggest cut in defense spending in 40 years, fewer exports and sluggish growth in company stockpiles.

The Commerce Department said Wednesday that the economy contracted at an annual rate of 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter. That's a sharp slowdown from the 3.1 percent growth rate in the July-September quarter.

The surprise contraction could raise fears about the economy's ability to handle tax increases that took effect in January and looming spending cuts.

The Bob Menendez - underage Hooker scandal is moving at lightening speed. The New Jersey Senator unexpectedly left a major Senate immigration press conference early yesterday, not taking any questions. He scampered away from the conference without a word. Now, a day later, news that Menendez's good friend, Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgin's home and office were raided yesterday by the FBI. Agents reportedly were searching for documents related to alleged unpaid IRS penalities.

Also today, reporters, including journalists from some major media outlets, peppered Menendez with questions about the growing scandal. It is one thing to be rumored to have had an affair with a prostitute outside of the U.S. Quite another if said prostitute was underage.
Even the normally cover-up for liberals at any cost, Wonkette remarks:

we do know that when you are having an orgy pile, and you are a United States Senator — even if you are out of the country! — you should really try your best not to f*ck children.

An imminent resignation by Menendez?

Speculation already surfacing as to who Republican Governor Chris Christie would appoint as a replacement.

Could it be this man?

New Jersey State Senator, and son of former moderate Republican two-term Governor Thomas Kean, Thomas Kean, Jr.

The younger Kean has shown a much more defined pro-liberty, almost Tea Party like record as a leading voice in the State Senate; good on guns, staunchly anti-tax.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has appointed longtime friend and former chief of staff William "Mo" Cowan to serve as a placeholder in the United States Senate as John Kerry takes over as Secretary of State and the independent minded voters of the Commonwealth have five months to decide on their next Senator.

The Governor reportedly wanted someone who was out of the box and hadn't run for political office before, and he found that man in Mr. Cowan, who will not seek full election to the U.S. Senate after his interim term is up, and who left the Patrick administration wanting to pursue a private sector career.

Mr. Cowan will join Tim Scott, who was also recently appointed to the U.S. Senate from South Carolina, as the only African-Americans in the prestigious legislative body and the first time two have served together in history.

One of the darkest fears for Israeli and American alike is that with Assad's regime crumbling, he might transfer his conventional weapons and perhaps even chemical agents to allies in Lebanon or Iran. We have seen this with countless media reports on Israel's government preparing to prevent this from occurring.

Well, with the IDF dramatically increasing surveillance over Lebanon the past couple of days, we just received news this morning of an Israeli air strike on a Syrian convoy allegedly transporting anti-aircraft missiles across the border into the Cedar State, and likely into Hezbollah's welcoming arms.

While it cannot be confirmed what weapons were being transported, or even where the air strike occurred (some are reporting Lebanon, while others within Syria), we do know the Israeli's did attack and destroy a convoy likely transporting arms and that this could possibly lead to al-Assad attempting to widening the war.

Much of the news coming out right now is contradictory, as is common with the fog of war, but I'm sure we will learn the facts in the coming hours, which will probably be friendly to Israel, as they have been monitoring the Syrian situation for years and knew that they had to act to defend their interests and sabotage their foes.

Michael Creel, who lives on the road where the shooting occured, said
a girl told him that the shooter boarded the bus and told the driver
that he needed two kids "between the ages of 6 and 8."
Dykes, for his part, was scheduled to be in court Wednesday for a menacing charge, the report said.
Police with SWAT teams and negotiators were at the rural property.
Residents in the surrounding area were evacuated and a bomb squad was at
the scene, the WSFA.com reported.

A teenage girl–an honor student who had just performed at President Obama’s inaugural–was gunned down Tuesday afternoon in the Kenwood neighborhood, just blocks from the high school she attended.

CBS 2’s Mike Parker reports the victim, 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, was taking shelter from the rain with a group of 10 to 12 teenagers under a canopy in Vivian Gordon Harsh Park on the 4500 block of South Oakenwald Avenue around 2:30 p.m., when someone jumped a fence, ran up to them, and opened fire.

Just days before, Hadiya performed with her high school band at President Obama’s inauguration.

The park is near King College Prep High School — where Pendleton was an honor student, volleyball player, and majorette.

The Dale County Sheriff's Department has established a command post location at the intersection of 231 North and Private Road 1539 in Dale County, Alabama following a shooting.

Multiple agencies are present assisting with the incident where multiple reports are indicating that a bus driver was shot and a student on-board the bus was taken hostage. The incident started around 3:40pm Tuesday near Destiny Church.

Both north and southbound traffic on U.S. Hwy. 231 near the church have been rerouted to keep commuters away from the area.

The Sheriff's Department is confirming that one adult male was shot and the suspect is not in custody. They would not confirm a child hostage situation.

Authorities with the Dale County School System and the Ozark City School System have cancelled classes for Wednesday, January 30.

Then check out the main column, where their real names flash like an all-star roster of professional athletes with Miami ties: San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera, Oakland A's hurler Bartolo Colón, pro tennis player Wayne Odesnik, budding Cuban superstar boxer Yuriorkis Gamboa, and Texas Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz. There's even the New York Yankees' $275 million man himself, Alex Rodriguez, who has sworn he stopped juicing a decade ago.

Read further and you'll find more than a dozen other baseball pros, from former University of Miami ace Cesar Carrillo to Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal to Washington Nationals star Gio Gonzalez. Notable coaches are there too, including UM baseball conditioning guru Jimmy Goins.

The names are all included in an extraordinary batch of records from Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic tucked into a two-story office building just a hard line drive's distance from the UM campus. They were given to New Times by an employee who worked at Biogenesis before it closed last month and its owner abruptly disappeared. The records are clear in describing the firm's real business: selling performance-enhancing drugs, from human growth hormone (HGH) to testosterone to anabolic steroids.

For some reason The New Republic was desperate to show President Obama skeet shooting. Perhaps it was to back up Mr. Obama's quote that he goes skeet shooting "all the time," with little evidence. Perhaps it was to show the President as an outdoorsman. Whatever the reasoning, they ran with a "scoop" that was clearly fake.

In today's economy, you want to make sure that you can do everything you can to get your business into the shape it needs to be to succeed. There are so many ways to get ahead, especially if you have the business savvy to know what your competitors are doing. Make sure that you have the best distributors for what you need, like PeachSuite Hotel Supply, which can get you the resources you need all in one convenient location.You will be able to find the right Hotel Supplies Online by using a company that you trust. A site that gives you all that you need can be a great way to buy supplies all together and quickly. The ease can be a great thing, especially when you are building up your inventory. Finding the right Hotel Amenities Supplier can be just what you were looking for. Please bookmark!

Let's face it. The economy is not as strong as it should be and many people of all walks of life have been struggling. Taking on debt seems to be the normal thing to do as people are starting out, but that same debt can become the burden that drags you down. Thousands of dollars can certainly add up over time, especially when dealing with interest and collection agencies.

This is why a good attorney can be a great move for you. Do your research to find out what your options are and how you and your family can prepare for the next step. Finding a debt relief lawyer could be the step that you need to take. An attorney that will fight for you, like Sheila Cockburn, can be a great chance to set the record straight and clear your credit while also making amends with your creditors. Make sure that you have someone that you trust and that is there for you. It could be one of the best decisions of your life.

Monday, January 28, 2013

The court system was created to help the citizens of this country. Understanding when to use the system and when to work it out between the two of you could possibly save you hundreds of dollars and tons of time.

Work it Out Without Court

There are some occurrences that do not need court involvement. Immature citizens with a vendetta for someone may want to go, regardless of the frivolous reason. However, more often than not, an alternative dispute resolution of some sort will keep everybody happy.

A Simple Dispute

Going to court doesn’t automatically make unreasonable people reasonable. It doesn’t work that way. Simple arguments with family members, neighbors or friends do not need court involvement. Learn how to maturely come to an agreement, or simply agree to disagree.

Small Misunderstandings

A simple misunderstanding between you and someone you work for does not need court involvement. You thought you were getting paid $20 an hour, but it was actually $20 for the project? Talk to the client about it. See if you can come to a middle ground. If not, cut your losses and move on.

Anything Worth Less than $500

If you want to sue someone for anything less than $500, forget about it. The sheer stress, time and money that is involved in the court process will far surpass the cost of that it.

Take it to the Courts

On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are those that try to avoid the courts if at all possible. Unfortunately, there are times that coming to an agreement is impossible, or court involvement is the only way to feel safe.

A Fraudulent Employer

If you’re a contractor or a freelancer an your employer has scammed you out of thousands of dollars, you may want to get the courts involved. Losing a large sum of money that you were counting one can throw your entire world upside down. There’s nothing wrong with getting the court system involved in that.

To Protect Yourself or Your Child

If you or your child feels threatened or endangered by someone, the courts are a great way to keep you safe. You can get a restraining order as a measure to keep the threatening person away from you.

You may not need the courts involved in everything, but there are certainly times that it is beneficial to use. Make sure to use wisdom and common sense when making the decision to take someone to court. It will be a long, tiresome process and you need to know that what you’re doing is worth all the hassle.